Best second camera for fast-moving sports? at DVinfo.net

Scott Cook · December 26th, 2009, 04:40 PM

I'm an EX1 shooter and want a second and smaller camera. I record my kids in horsejumping and lacrosse which require fast pans to follow the action. I use an EX1 on a Miller tripod at 720p60 and edit in FCP3. Here's a 45 second snippet of the resulting work:

I want a second and small camera...to record b-roll in the barn or locker room etc. (And because the EX1 is painful to handhold and sometimes I just don't want to travel with the big rig). Once enjoyed the Sony HC1 but it gave up and died. Tried a friend's Canon Vixia HF11 and loved the small size. But I haven't had the chance to compare cameras available now.

I didn't know where to post this question...let me know if there's a better place.

Ned Soltz · December 26th, 2009, 04:47 PM

JVC HM100. Even records same codec as the EX-1.

Ned Soltz

Scott Cook · December 26th, 2009, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the fast response Ned. I'll check it out.

Paul Inglis · December 27th, 2009, 05:24 AM

I second the JVC HM100. It cuts well with the EX-1 and EX-3. The small chips aren't that great in low light though. It's a small compact camera yet big on features.

Matt Davis · December 27th, 2009, 09:14 AM

And I'll third the HM100 by reflecting that a colleague has two EX1Rs and two HM100s for multicam shoots. He can do a 3 camera shoot from a standard airline carry-on.

Steve Pond · December 29th, 2009, 12:37 PM

I hope you don't mind if I ask a somewhat off-topic question. What shutter speed are you using? The video looks nice and crisp, which is a problem that I've been having with the video I'm shooting of fast action subjects. I'm shooting high-speed radio control cars, airplanes, helis etc., and it's like trying to shoot a mosquito. They travel at speeds up to 50 mph on average, and they're only about 20 inches long and are totally unpredictable in their movement. So, panning only gets me so far. I've shot up to 1/250, but I'm think I may need to go faster on the shutter speed. Any insight would be much appreciated.

Here's a recent video where there's considerable blur. The action starts after the 3:00 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go1azB6Y2EE

Scott Cook · January 26th, 2010, 02:20 AM

Sorry for the slow response. Steve, I'd don't have my notes with me, but have generally settled on 120 for shutter speed. 250 is a bit crisper, but to stroby. Looked at your sequence...you're getting the same result that I get, moving objects just aren't clear, like stationary objects. Wish I knew what trick I'm missing.

December 26th, 2009, 04:40 PM	#1
Scott Cook New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Woodside, CA Posts: 6	Best second camera for fast-moving sports? I'm an EX1 shooter and want a second and smaller camera. I record my kids in horsejumping and lacrosse which require fast pans to follow the action. I use an EX1 on a Miller tripod at 720p60 and edit in FCP3. Here's a 45 second snippet of the resulting work: Annie, 2009 on Vimeo I want a second and small camera...to record b-roll in the barn or locker room etc. (And because the EX1 is painful to handhold and sometimes I just don't want to travel with the big rig). Once enjoyed the Sony HC1 but it gave up and died. Tried a friend's Canon Vixia HF11 and loved the small size. But I haven't had the chance to compare cameras available now. I didn't know where to post this question...let me know if there's a better place.

December 27th, 2009, 09:14 AM	#5
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	And I'll third the HM100 by reflecting that a colleague has two EX1Rs and two HM100s for multicam shoots. He can do a 3 camera shoot from a standard airline carry-on. __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

January 26th, 2010, 02:20 AM	#7
Scott Cook New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Woodside, CA Posts: 6	How get a crisp image of moving objects? Sorry for the slow response. Steve, I'd don't have my notes with me, but have generally settled on 120 for shutter speed. 250 is a bit crisper, but to stroby. Looked at your sequence...you're getting the same result that I get, moving objects just aren't clear, like stationary objects. Wish I knew what trick I'm missing.

December 26th, 2009, 04:47 PM	#2
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	JVC HM100. Even records same codec as the EX-1. Ned Soltz

December 26th, 2009, 04:59 PM	#3
Scott Cook New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Woodside, CA Posts: 6	Thanks for the fast response Ned. I'll check it out.

December 27th, 2009, 05:24 AM	#4
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	I second the JVC HM100. It cuts well with the EX-1 and EX-3. The small chips aren't that great in low light though. It's a small compact camera yet big on features.

December 29th, 2009, 12:37 PM	#6
Steve Pond Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 44	I hope you don't mind if I ask a somewhat off-topic question. What shutter speed are you using? The video looks nice and crisp, which is a problem that I've been having with the video I'm shooting of fast action subjects. I'm shooting high-speed radio control cars, airplanes, helis etc., and it's like trying to shoot a mosquito. They travel at speeds up to 50 mph on average, and they're only about 20 inches long and are totally unpredictable in their movement. So, panning only gets me so far. I've shot up to 1/250, but I'm think I may need to go faster on the shutter speed. Any insight would be much appreciated. Here's a recent video where there's considerable blur. The action starts after the 3:00 mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go1azB6Y2EE